An iconic watch for independent brand Greubel Forsey, the Double Tourbillon 30° Technique has long been a favorite of collectors. Typically offered only in noble materials, the watch now joins the 21stcentury thanks to the all-new blue ceramic case designed exclusively for the American market. Additionally the movement of the watch has been totally reconstructed and reconfigured – using a host of sapphire elements to allow for incredible transparency.

This marks the first time Greubel Forsey has cased an icon in high-tech ceramic. The stunning blue hue recalls the color found in the American flag. It is created in a very limited number of just 11 pieces.

The initial Double Tourbillon 30° Technique was the brainchild of Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey back in 1999. It did not come to fruition until 2004 – demonstrating the timepiece’s complexity and technical mastery. The tourbillon escapement compensates for errors in timekeeping due to the effects of gravity on the wrist when in certain positions.

The patented Double Tourbillon 30° boasts a two tourbillon cages: a single cage that rotates in four minutes, along with a second smaller cage with the balance and spring assembly, that resides inside the larger cage. The small cage is angled at 30-degrees and rotates once every 60 seconds. The inclination and the different speeds of the tourbillon escapements work together to improve accuracy.

Inside the movement are multiple three-dimensional sapphire bridges – each machined from a single block of sapphire. The process to create the bridges requires hundreds of hours of machining. The sapphire bridges allow for a more un-obstructed view of the calibre and escapements.

Additionally, because sapphire is brittle and can break, all of the sapphire bridges are specially mounted to absorb shocks. A sapphire crystal caseback allows for viewing of the complicated movement. Each of the 421 parts in the hand-wound mechanical movement are meticulously finished by hand in typical Greubel Forsey style.

On the dial side, the blue elements are actually gold and are finished blue to complement the blue ceramic case. Measuring 48.40mm in diameter, the ceramic case is also an incredible feat. The material is pressed and shaped before firing. However, the sintered case then becomes extremely scratch- and corrosion- resistant.

The watch offers hours and minutes display, small seconds indication, 120-hours of power reserve on a sector indication, and the two tourbillon escapements. The timepiece is finished with a blue rubber strap and is water resistant to 30 meters. As mentioned, it retails for a justifiable $695,000.